Most of the warriors had some doubts and insecurities and wanted to prove themselves or find their reasons of being. Some were flippant and although they knew this war was serious, they laughed and approached it like it was some kind of game. But there was something different about him.

He would act like a carefree child with the younger warriors, and then all of a sudden turn into a fierce warrior when sparring with elder ones. He'd be lost and have many questions and would seek help from other warriors, but later lead them without a cloud of doubt and with certainty against harsh battles with the imitations.

Something about him definitely is… different. Special even.

"Hey, whatcha doing?"

I turned to see him approaching me, hands behind his head and a smile always on his face. I greeted him with a nod.

He stopped and scratched his head. "Well, we never really got to talk one-on-one before, have we?"

I shook my head, "No, but that can't be helped, since I was journeying by myself most of the time."

"Hm, I guess you're right." He crossed his arms and looked at me. "Do you mind if I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"So, your world had crystals in it too, right?" I nodded my head, and his eyes seemed to light up. "That means you saved towns and princesses and fought lots of epic monsters, right? That sounds amazing! You must be an awesome legend back in your world or something."

I had to smile as he went on talking about how he imagined me going through dungeons and caves like it was some epic adventure, his energy and youthfulness was quite contagious. He stopped motioning through fake swordfights and turned to ask, "Doesn't all the fame get tiring sometimes though?"

I shook my head. "My companions and I did go through many trials to fight off evil, but no one remembers it. Everyone's memories were erased because we broke Garland's cycle of time. Our adventure is not written in history and no one will ever tell the tale to their descendants."

"But, isn't that sad, that there's nothing left of it?"

"As long as the world is at peace, the story of how it was saved is not important."

He frowned at that. "But it is important, it's your story! You and your friends made that story together. What about all the people that you helped and saved? Someone should remember it."

I gave a small chuckle. "The world is better off without remembering Garland and a cycle of chaos and darkness."

He put a hand to his chin, giving this some thought. "That may be, but don't tell yourself that it's not important. It's a part of you, and you're a part of it. Always remember that."

There it is again, something about his eyes or his speech or his attitude, something that I cannot name. What does he remind me of… "Well then, what of your own story?"

He smiled and put his arms behind his head again. "Mine's on hold right now. Who knows, maybe after all this I'll be able to go back and finish it for real this time. With a good ending though."

Some of the others were starting to call for him to have another sparring match. "Well, it was nice to finally be able to talk with you."

"I wish you all the best in your endeavors."

He smirked and held his thumb up with one hand. "Of course, I'm the ace after all!" And he ran off to join the others.

As I watched the group, he stood out the most among them. He shone brighter than anyone and revitalized the others around him. That's when it dawned on me.

He was like the sun.

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